ARRESTS IN JAPAN
SEVEN SALVATION OFFICERS.
ALLEGATION OF ESPIONAGE.
‘ ‘ANTI-JAPANESE THOUGHTS. ’ ’
(United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) TOKIO, August 6.
The Army announced that it had arrested seven executive officers of the Japanese Salvation Army on suspicion of espionage. Later it was announced that gendarmes arrested the Commander (Colonel Masuzo Armuta), the chief secretary (Yasoo Sonawa) and five others, who are at present being questioned.
The Army spokesman issued a statement declaring that’ they must take drastic action against organisations which, under the cloak of religion, become the tools of spies as well as propagating foreign, anti-Japanese thoughts detrimental to the general ■ public’s thoughts of livelihood. The newspaper “Nichinichi” said the Cabinet lias decided against settlement of the alleged British retaliatory arrests as “individual unimportant cases,” hut would seek a fundamental solution of the “entire situation which had caused the eases” as well as push for solution of basic Anglo-Japanese issues.
THE ARRESTS IN LONDON.
CALMER. TONE IN TOKIO PRESS. TOKIO, August 6. The Japanese vernacular press changed overnight to a calmer treatment of the London arrests. The press is generally asserting that the Foreign Office can afford to watch the situation calmly and coolly, and give Britain time to reflect, although it is “ready to take a second step in the event of Britain failing to reconsider her illegal actions.” It is insisted that Japan will reject a- compromise settlement.
The Domei News Agency reported yesterday that the Japanese Foreign Office had drafted drastic measures to bo taken in the event of further deterioration of relations between Britain and Japan. ' A hundred thousand people arei expected to parade to the British Embassy in T'okio on Monday as a result of the decision of the Anti-British People’s Federation to hold a national rally of protest against the alleged British retaliatory arrests, to which the federation lias invited representatives of 120 cities. At the same time the federation sent resolutions to the War, Navy, and Foreign Departments, demanding measures for the release, of the arrested persons and a- strong policy toward Britain. A resolution Was also sent to the British Embassy demanding the release of the arrested persons and the withdrawal of the British from tile Orient.
Meanwhile the Foreign Minister (Mr Matsuoka) is .reported to have gained the Cabinet’s understanding that the Government will calmly and firmly watch the British attitude regarding the arrests for the present. _ It is understood here that the British Home Secretary decided that the evidence available against Mr Makihara was insufficient to justify his continued detention.
It is also reported that the note left by Reuter’s agent in Tokio, the late Mr Melville, Cox, has been examined by a member of the British Consulate, and also by Reuter’s acting-general manager in the East. The Japanese Press Service, states that they were satisfied that the note was written by Mr Cox.
Reuter reports the arrest of five more Japanese by British authorities in the Ear East. It is reported that the Japanese have released three more British subjects, leaving seven still detained. IMPROVING RELATIONS. JAPANESE CONiFIDEN OE. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, August 6. A Japanese spokesman said: “We believe there is every indication that relationships between Japan and Britain will continue to improve. W 7 e are confident that what little incidents and misunderstandings there have been can be settled quickly to the mutual satisfaction of Britain and Japan.”
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Bibliographic details
Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 257, 7 August 1940, Page 6
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568ARRESTS IN JAPAN Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 257, 7 August 1940, Page 6
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